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LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Jan 25, 2016

Let's discuss new map symbols for tourists

The Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI) has released new symbols for foreign-language maps after criticism that some of its current pictograms are hard to understand or even offensive.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Jan 18, 2016

Let's discuss My Number

My Number, the new personal identification system for social security and taxation matters, kicks off amid data security fears.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Jan 16, 2016

Dotonbori: Where Osakans eat, drink and be merry

Comparing Osaka with almost any other Japanese city is akin to likening a bloodied steak to boiled chicken.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 5, 2016

U.S. cops are too crazy to be trusted with guns

Cop lives shouldn't matter more than civilian lives, and cops shouldn't enjoy the benefit of the doubt more than ordinary citizens.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Jan 4, 2016

Let's discuss healthy eating in Japan

In a country where food culture permeates all aspects of life and society, it is perhaps unsurprising that Japan leads the 'World Health Olympics.'
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Dec 28, 2015

Let's discuss the law on surnames

Plaintiffs contesting family laws that require spouses to choose a single surname expressed shock and anger at Wednesday's Supreme Court ruling, saying it will force more women to suffer the misery of having to change their name upon marriage.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Dec 22, 2015

Sanrio database leak seen covering info on 3.3 million Hello Kitty fans

A database for Sanrio, the Japanese owner of the Hello Kitty brand, was breached, putting the data of 3.3 million of its users at risk, according to security website CSOonline.com's report.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Dec 21, 2015

Let's discuss the Akatsuki space probe

Japan's space agency says its Akatsuki probe has successfully entered into orbit around Venus.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Dec 17, 2015

Republican senator checking if Cruz unveiled classified info during candidate debate

A Republican senator is investigating whether Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz released classified information while discussing the National Security Agency during Tuesday night's debate.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / NEW IN TOWN
Dec 16, 2015

Un Grain: Good things come in small patisserie

The lowdown: Premium confectionery brand Yoku Moku is bankrolling one of Tokyo's hottest patisserie chefs.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Dec 14, 2015

Let's discuss this year's buzzwords in Japan

This year's most memorable buzzwords in Japan were recently announced, with the words 'bakugai' and 'toripuru surii' jointly taking home the top honors.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Dec 7, 2015

Let's discuss the contest to find a new Tokyo Olympics logo

The organizing committee for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics begins accepting entries for a new logo.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / OLD NIC'S NOTEBOOK
Dec 5, 2015

All set for our woods' own horse power

Over the past three years, the C.W. Nicol Afan Woodland Trust has been bringing down people and horses from Tono and Morioka in Iwate Prefecture to help us take out trees we've been thinning from our woods here in northern Nagano Prefecture — and lately, too, from the adjoining national forest we've...
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Nov 30, 2015

Let's discuss prenatal screening for disabilities

An Ibaraki education board member has sparked online outrage after suggesting the prefecture back more prenatal screening to reduce the 'burden' on parents of having a disabled child.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Nov 23, 2015

Let's discuss the new Mitsubishi Regional Jet

Mitsubishi's new jet takes off on its debut flight from Nagoya, half a century after the country last introduced a new passenger plane.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Nov 16, 2015

Let's discuss Hotel Okura's auction

Fans of Tokyo's soon-to-be-demolished Hotel Okura are getting a chance to purchase memorabilia from the 1960s-era modernist masterpiece.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Nov 9, 2015

Let's discuss Halloween in Japan

Retailers are hoping to further capitalize on an event that by one estimate will generate ¥122 billion in Japan.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Nov 2, 2015

Let's discuss the tilting Yokohama condo scandal

An employee at the center of a data falsification scandal involving a tilting condo in Yokohama oversaw piling work at 41 projects in nine prefectures.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Nov 1, 2015

Medecins du Monde brings health care to Tohoku, Tokyo and the world

Now marking its 20th year in Japan, MdM works with local partners to develop medical practices with the aim of providing universal access to health care.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Oct 26, 2015

Let's discuss Japan at the Rugby World Cup

Rugby fever has swept the field in Japan after the national team achieved a best-ever three wins at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Oct 19, 2015

Let's discuss pressure on university liberal arts education

In June the education ministry sent a directive to national universities calling on them to reorganize their humanities and social sciences departments.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / BLACK EYE
Oct 18, 2015

Dan teaches us how to be 'the man' in Japan

Every time I turn around, it seems, people are always asking me, "Do you know Dan Smith?" Or, they'll assume I already know him — what with his being black, working in the media and living in Japan for, like, forever and all. Sometimes I nod that I do, sometimes I even front like I know him ("Oh yeah,...
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Oct 5, 2015

Let's discuss 'idols' and marriage

Last week the media obsessed over the story about the 17-year-old girl who was sued by a talent agency for violating the terms of her contract, which stipulated that she could not be involved in any romantic relationships.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / NEW IN TOWN
Oct 1, 2015

Rituel par Christophe Vasseur

The lowdown: Artisan baker Chrisophe Vasseur’s first French pastry cafe in Japan.

Longform

In 2020, 38% of all households were single-person. That figure is projected to rise to 44.3% by 2050.
The rise of AI companionship in a lonely Japan